City Cast Chicago
🆘 Chicago street fests in trouble
April 21, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Good morning, Chicago! 🌞 Some exciting news today: We’re expanding our membership program and giving it a fresh name. City Cast Chicago members are now City Cast Chicago Neighbors — because good neighbors make good cities, and City Cast Chicago Neighbors are essential to this newsletter and this city.
Each Neighbor will continue to access ad-free podcast listening and get a first look at weekly Chicago events before everyone else. We’re also expanding members-only events where you can meet other Neighbors and the City Cast Chicago team. Joining the growing community of City Cast Chicago Neighbors connects you with all the things that make Chicago great.
🎁 As a welcome gift, we’ll send you a custom ceramic mug if you sign up during our spring membership campaign — which kicks off today!
What Chicago's Talking About
Chicago Street Fests Band Together, Call for Donations
Save Our Street Fests, a new coalition representing 20 local festival organizers, says rising operating costs and low gate donations make Chicago’s free street fests unsustainable. They’re urging festivalgoers to donate before entering. [Sun-Times]
- But Chicago is the summer street fest capital! [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Pritzker and Durbin Not Sharing Reelection Plans
Neither Gov. JB Pritzker nor Sen. Dick Durbin has discussed or confirmed reelection plans, not even with Cook County Democratic Party Chair Toni Preckwinkle. Pritzker, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, would be seeking a third term as governor. Meanwhile, 80-year-old Durbin has served for 30 years, leaving state Democrats anxious about potential turnover. [WBEZ]
Can a 26-Year-Old Defeat a 26-Year Incumbent?
Kat Abughazaleh is challenging U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Can the 26-year-old who’s lived in Chicago less than a year really win over a district that’s been represented by the same person for nearly three decades? She discusses her chances with City Cast Chicago. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Business Returns to Clark and Roscoe
The Lakeview corridor saw several closures over the last few years, not helped by Red Line construction. But in the past year, five new restaurants have opened, plus an LGBTQ+ wellness studio. Another restaurant, Dad’s Place, is coming soon. [Block Club]
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What To Do
Monday, April 14
- 🧘 Rise and Shine with Yoga | 6-7:30 a.m. | $14 | West Loop
- ♟️ The Chessing Hour | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Free | Norwood Park
- 📚 Afterwords Book Club | 5:30 p.m. | Free | Lincoln Square
- 🎸 An Evening with Jason Wade of Lifehouse | 7 p.m. | $25+ | River North
Tuesday, April 15
- 🏨 Hospitality Hires Chicago | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Free | Loop
- 🐇 Wildlife Connections | 10:30 a.m. | Free | Northbrook
- 🖼️ Mosaic Art Making | 5 p.m. | $40 | Bronzeville
- ⛳ Indoor Golf Series | 6-8 p.m. | $49 | Bridgeport
- ⚾ White Sox vs. The Athletics | 6:40 p.m. | $9+ | Rate Field
- 📝 Severance Trivia Night | 7-9 p.m. | $10+ | Logan Square
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Happy Monday! See you for dollar beers at Delilah’s? 🍺
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